E.tv lawyers failed in a bid to be given an opportunity to challenge any in camera evidence submitted at the Ginwala inquiry which started on Wednesday.

Advocate Kate Hofmeyr, acting for the broadcaster, had attempted to have her name entered into the records of legal representatives at the start of the hearings.

But she was abruptly cut off by Frene Ginwala, who is leading the public hearings on suspended National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli's fitness to hold office.

"Nobody except the legal parties (from the government and Pikoli's team) may have any representatives at this inquiry," Ginwala said.

e.tv had hoped to be given notice of any application by either of the parties to have portions of the hearings heard in camera, so that they could challenge this and have the hearings declared open to the public.

Hofmeyr tried a second time to introduce herself, but Ginwala sharply said she had already informed her that there would be no intervention.